"KU law graduate accepts clerkship with U.S. Supreme Court": The University of Kansas School of Law issued a news release last Friday that begins, "A 2005 University of Kansas School of Law graduate has become the fifth KU law alumnus to be accepted for a U.S. Supreme Court clerkship. Travis Lenkner, a Coats native, will clerk for Justice Anthony M. Kennedy during the 2008-09 term."

"Sex scandal rocks A.G.; Affair with former employee in D.A.'s office results in federal complaint": Yesterday's edition of The Topeka Capital-Journal contained an article that begins, "Attorney General Paul Morrison faces a sexual harassment claim tied to an extramarital affair he had with a subordinate in the Johnson County district attorney's office that continued after he became the state's top prosecutor this year."

"Court eases cocaine sentencing": Lyle Denniston has this post at "SCOTUSblog" reporting on today's two eagerly awaited federal sentencing guidelines decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. According to Lyle's post, the criminal defendant prevailed in each case by a 7-2 vote.

The first decision announced today came in the case of Kimbrough v. United States, No. 06-6330. You can access the opinion at this link and the oral argument transcript at this link. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg delivered the majority opinion, from which Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito, Jr. dissented.

The second sentencing-related decision announced today came in the case of Gall v. United States, No. 06-7949. You can access the opinion at this link and the oral argument transcript from that case at this link. Justice John Paul Stevens delivered the majority opinion, from which Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito, Jr. dissented.

Today's third and final opinion in an argued case issued in Watson v. United States, No. 06-571. You can access the opinion at this link and the oral argument transcript at this link. Justice David H. Souter delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court.

"Bumpy ride in store for court nominee": The Providence Journal today contains an article that begins, "Judge William E. Smith 'has served well' on Rhode Island's federal court, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said Friday, but his nomination to the federal appeals court in Boston 'is a different situation,' colored in part by what Reed depicted as President Bush's failure to consult with senators about his choice."

"School says it can't solve pledge case": The Associated Press provides a report that begins, "School officials may let others fight the constitutional questions raised by federal lawsuit over a New Hampshire law requiring time be set aside for the Pledge of Allegiance. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Concord in October by an unidentified Hanover family, a California man and a Wisconsin group who object to the reference to God in the oath."

The "California man" referenced in the article, it should come as little surprise, is Michael A. Newdow.Posted at 08:44 AM by Howard Bashman

"Conrad Black defiant ahead of sentencing": Today's edition of The Telegraph (UK) contains an article that begins, "Conrad Black continued to insist on his innocence in a final act of defiance ahead of his sentencing for fraud and obstructing justice. The 63-year-old and three co-defendants will be sentenced on Monday by Judge Amy St Eve in the US District Court in Chicago."

"Linking cause to effect, 41 years on; The prosecution's burden: The police officer was shot in 1966; A coroner ruled the death in August homicide." Can a gunshot wound give rise to murder if the victim dies 41 years later? The Philadelphia Inquirer today contains this article addressing that question.Posted at 08:02 AM by Howard Bashman

Monday, December 10, 2007

"Partial picture of Camp X-Ray: Guantanamo detention center is closed, but questions remain."This article, part two of a two-part series, appears today in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

"Destroyed CIA tapes spur probes; They could have shown if the harsh interrogation of terror suspects was illegal, analysts say": Warren Richey will have this article Monday in The Christian Science Monitor.

"The Supreme Court's habeas hearing: How the justices reacted to the case for giving Guantanamo inmates more rights."This editorial appears today in The Los Angeles Times.Posted at 09:58 PM by Howard Bashman

Sunday, December 9, 2007

"U.S. attorney firings open doors for the 9; A year ago, a Justice Department scandal forced them into new careers; Despite some bitterness, they've landed on their feet": The Los Angeles Times contains this article today.Posted at 09:54 PM by Howard Bashman

Sunday, December 9, 2007

"The Trials and Tribulations of Hashmel Turner: An unassuming small-town preacher and his unconventional Christian lawyer are trying to win the right to pray to Jesus at city council meetings."This article is the cover story in today's issue of The Washington Post Magazine.Posted at 09:05 PM by Howard Bashman

Sunday, December 9, 2007

"Guantanamo: Legal No-Man's Land?" The Associated Press provides this report. According to the article, "U.S. law protects endangered iguanas on the naval base, but the Supreme Court is struggling to determine whether it also applies to the 305 men imprisoned there."Posted at 08:50 PM by Howard Bashman

"Mukasey on the Spot: How will the new attorney general respond to the CIA's destruction of interrogation videotapes?" Michael Isikoff, Mark Hosenball, and Michael Hirsh will have this article in the December 17, 2007 issue of Newsweek.Posted at 09:38 AM by Howard Bashman

"Supreme Court justice apologizes for comments to Pakistani lawyer": The Charleston (W. Va.) Daily Mail on Friday contained an article that begins, "State Supreme Court Justice Larry Starcher has apologized to a Virginia lawyer for referencing her Pakistani heritage during a hearing in a discrimination case."

"Law clerks' most morbid duty eases": The Newark Star-Ledger today contains an article that begins, "Ever since New Jersey restored capital punishment a quarter of a century ago, the state Supreme Court has assigned at least one of its law clerks each year to delve deep into the law of death."Posted at 08:32 AM by Howard Bashman

"High Court to Rule On Wal-Mart Transfer Of Disabled Worker": Dow Jones Newswires provide a report that begins, "In a case involving Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the Supreme Court Friday said it will determine if a disabled employee, under federal disabilities law, gets preference over others for a vacant position even if they aren't the best qualified for the job."Posted at 11:33 PM by Howard Bashman

Saturday, December 8, 2007

"Lawyer sues again over Web site he says defamed him": On Tuesday, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published an article that begins, "Pittsburgh attorney Todd Hollis has revived his lawsuit against a Web site that accused him of infidelity and infecting women with herpes. Mr. Hollis said the site -- DontDateHimGirl.com -- defamed him by publishing false and malicious statements. Acting as his own lawyer, Mr. Hollis filed suit last week in U.S. District Court in Miami against the Florida-based Web site and its owner, Tasha Cunningham. A judge in Allegheny County dismissed Mr. Hollis' initial lawsuit last year, saying a Pittsburgh court had no jurisdiction over a Miami company. Mr. Hollis, 39, said he reluctantly sued again in Miami because Ms. Cunningham refused to remove the numerous lies that her Web site has published about him."